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 Some Christian denominations have officially welcomed gays and lesbians in recent years.
October 25th, 2011
12:09 PM ET
My Take: Why Christians are embracing their LGBT neighborsEditor’s note: Ross Murray is director of religion, faith and values at GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. By Ross Murray, Special to CNN America is embracing its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens. Don’t believe me? Just look at the progress being made in faith communities. The Christian church was once considered the final holdout for those who oppose equality for LGBT people. Staunch believers could gather in worship with people who thought just like them to hear sermons affirming the anti-LGBT beliefs they held in common. For those of us who identify as LGBT, church was a place of fear and secrets. We had to figure out how to hide ourselves or how to find a more welcoming community. But that is changing. Although there is still a variety of scriptural interpretations, an increasing number of Christians are reading scripture and understanding that God’s design for the world includes LGBT people. It follows, good Christians believe, that if God made them, then I am called to love and support them. Whole Christian denominations have accepted and embraced the reality of LGBT believers within their ranks and in their leadership. Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, the United Church of Christ and Unitarians have formally accepted LGBT people within their denominations. Even within denominations and faith groups whose policies don’t fully welcome LGBT people, there are growing numbers of people who have learned to love and accept their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters. The Public Religion Research Institute found this year that as many as 71% of Catholics in America support lesbian and gay people, even up to the point of civil marriage, despite the Roman Catholic hierarchy telling them otherwise. Of course, there still are Christian groups who work actively against equal protections for LGBT people and their families. Indeed, as more Americans get to know and love their LGBT neighbors, the messages and vocal misinformation of anti-gay activists become even more shrill. And yet more and more Christians are now living out the message of 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” How did this happen? More Christians now know someone who is LGBT. They probably even know someone from their church. There are countless faithful Christians who identify as LGBT. These are folks who have found their faith in God to be stronger than the opposition of vocal anti-gay activists. These LGBT Christians have shared their lives and their stories that build up love and break down fear, leading to tangible progress, especially with young people. According to the Public Religion Research Institute, there is at least a 20-point gap between those ages 18 to 29 and those ages 65 and older on every public policy measure in the survey concerning equality for gay and lesbian people, with younger Americans gravitating toward equality. Even Christian-identified young people increasingly support protections for lesbian and gay people, the same survey found. Those who oppose equality can call it what they like, but the reality is that we are living in a society that has learned how to value LGBT people as they would others. That attitude doesn’t rely on fear or lies, but on caring relationships and trust. It lives out the apostle Paul’s wish for the Corinthians that someday we will know fully, even as we are fully known. It is a biblically informed reality that is helping to make the world a better place. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ross Murray. soundoff (2,403 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Next »
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As very clearly instructed through the bible. It is my place to inform but not to judge. The book states its wrong however it also states not to pass judgment as only God has the right to pass judgment. A real Christian would know this. And for any republicans out there screaming Christianity, GOD, Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Luke, John, and especially Matthew would all say help those in need, not those with greed. Think about that one when you walk into the voting booth. Is a tax break for the greedy really what God or Jesus would advocate for? Would God really stand behind people laying off human beings for the comfort of a perceived image and a stack of material items. If you read the bible you would know that material items are worthless when it comes to all that matters, helping others should always be your first interest, forgiving those of whom made mistakes 77 times 7 and over again. And you can not deny that Jesus healed without the need of health insurance or Aetna. Think about that when you walk into your voting booth and scream me, me, me. When you, you, you could actually benefit from better wages. Maybe pay off some of your dream you were promised hard work would earn you. Your hard work earned you debt didn't it? Well your hard work earned your executive 6 mansions and 25 cars and three filled refrigerators. While millions lay unemployed, underemployed and stretched financially thin. I guess that's what god would do and what Jesus would do.
Though shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
How about I decide who and when I want to help and these people do it for themselves once in a while?
I must confess that I have a problem coveting manservants!
And you just feel SO superior, don't you. How wonderful for you.
Jenna,
The Bible says that ALL you have to do for eternal life is to believe. That's why so many Christian hypocrites ignor the adultery of their fellow Christians who have remarried. Don't let the hypocrites get to you.
I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky! Except I can't.
God loves Gays as much as he loves his that old lady that goes to church every Sunday. My belief is being gay is not a sin, but the action that goes with it is.
It is true Catholic girl and I agree but atheists and gays must not believe in the Bible and convince themselves that gays are born the way they are without scientific proof to justify their actions – so no convincing them.
"that gays are born the way they are without scientific proof to justify their actions"
You have no scientific proof your god is actually real. What a hypocrite. LOL!
You can disagree with a lifestyle without being branded a hater. The bible is what it is......you can interpret it to fit your views but in your heart you all know what it (the bible) considers sin. My neighbors are lesbians and I have a good relationship with them – I, however, will never accept their lifestyle due to my beliefs but will not treat them bad either. Does that mean I am promoting hate? I don’t think so!!
how would you explain how being gay is wrong to your son who is under the impression that he gets punished for being wrong? what if he was gay, would you inform him that he wasn't going to be seeing grandma in heaven because he was going to hell?
Trouble is, (and scientifically PROVEN), it's NOT a "lifestyle". That implies CHOICE. When did YOU chose to be straight ? THAT implies you could have gone either way. Are you sure you want to be telling everyone THAT.
Your condescending use of the word "lifestyle" explained everything for you. You really didn't have to say much else. I reject this term in regards to my family unit. What we are experiencing is life, not lifestyle. And no you cannot borrow a cup of sugar.
Its not scientifically proven. Lets get something very clear – if it was then how do you explain transgender folks.
I would telll my son that he needs to not committ h-m- acts and to follow the commandments and teachings of God and I would love hime and support him but not the sins he commits and God decides where people go not me.
But I would share a cup of sugar with you. I dont hate you I disagree with your position.
You are assuming all others give credence to the bible. Debating the subject of gays from the context of the Bible is a non-starter for non-believers. You are spinning your wheels. Tell your opinion to the choir. They'll fall for anything.
Katy – you made the biggest point of the day. If some people don;t believe the Bible then obviously it doesn't apply to them.
Your question makes no sense. Obviously you know NOTHING about genetics, or human se.xuality. Why argue with a two year old ? TTFN
No, I'm the best.
Lovely lovely. When you cant convice anyone you start name calling. Anyway you are forgiven......why dont you give me a lesson on genentics if I am so wrong. I'm in finance BTW and so forgive my genetics ignorance.
I'll tell you who ISN'T getting more pro-LGBT....Muslims. They HATE you guys.
Which is why we won't see true democracy in any Middle Eastern country during our lifetime. These countries are so far removed from academia and so heavily entrenched in the afterlife that this life is meaningless to them. Turkey likes to beat their drum and advertise their democratic credentials, but these people are just an inch away from falling back into the religious abyss.
And I've got NEWS for you! The feeling is quite MUTUAL!!
Yes, RADICAL Muslims do seem to be following God's original commands in the Bible.
Yes, if LGBs want to attack a group that wants to oippress and kill them – go after the muslims becasue they really do hate you.
My envy, bitterness, etc... is just as much a sin as the sin of sodomy. Why don't we just read the Bible, let God do the work in our heart and deal with us accordingly. He does love everyone, but he does not tolerate sin. Jesus did die for all of us, all our sin was judged at the cross. Trust him as Saviour, and let him do the work that only He can do in the human heart
We embrace our LGBT neighbors, but never the "SIN."
Leviticus 18:22
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Christians never embrace the sin? Are you kidding?
Jesus hates divorce, says nothing about gay people. Christians have given divorce on huge waiver!
Jesus also hated public prayer!
I've never understood why people insist on living their lives according to a thousands year old history book that is sorely out of date. A book written, not by god, but by men. The world is changing and thus we need to change with it.
Does anyone remember that they used to stone left handed people in the 400s? Thankfully, we've come a long way.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Romans 1:26-27
(26) Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. (27) In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Pecos,
Romans (12:20) also says “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.”
Do you believe and practice EVERYTHING that Romans says or just PICK and choose?
Answer please.
"nor effeminate"
My brother in law is a sissy. He whines like a little bi tch.
Is he going to hell?
Thanks for posting that ED! Not that it matters...the world is way to anti-bible...
Suck on Schweddy Balls, One Million Moms!
Any excuses you give about gays, is still against God. Now, a few people that try to defend their actions, are dead wrong, as
it is an abomination and sin to do what they are doing. That simple. You can sugarcoat it, you can give all the excuses you want, is still wrong. God can forgive any one who repents and turns his ways, but those who try and say that they were born that way, they blasphemy God. God does not make gays and lesbians. Satan does.
Well, if that's true, someone should have a talk with God and ask him to rethink a few things, because when you phrase it like that, he is a real d!ck.
So, if God made Satan, and Satan makes gays, does that make gays God's grandchildren?
Thomas,
You are an idiot. I love how you "faith filled" people can not accept everyone only people you think are worthy.... I love the addage that everyone adores christ but very few of you are christ-like.
And another CitC (conservative in the closet) spews his self-hating venom. Thomas, the last time you took it in the stove pipe, did your lover forget to give you a reach around?
Karl – you and your kind are so mislead. You can;t go around acting and doing whatever you want and think no ne is going to say you are doing something wrong – has nothihng to do with bigotry, ate and oppresion. That is how you prress your agenda by namecalling.
Divorce and public prayer are forbidden according to Jesus. Jesus said nothing about gays.
Thomas,
Skip the hypocrisy. If you really cared about sins you'd be trashing the far far greater number of Christians who commit adultery.
TC-
So to put what you said in some context...you have just stated that me and my kind, ill assume you mena the rational and logic, should worship something that professes equal and utter love for everyone, then turn around and pick and choose? Open your eyes and realize how incsane you all are! There is no coincidence that the more intelligence you achieve the less religion you believe.....
Karl – the smarter, wiser and more educated I have become has highligthed all the more the hand of God in our lives and how HE works continuously trying to bring us to Him. Your atheistic view of life is limited and narowed becasue you thinkyou know everything – self-righteous in your ways.
Observer – you are right – I do. Anyone who commits adultery needs ot know they are commtting a grave sin.
"Your atheistic view of life is limited and narowed becasue you thinkyou know everything "
No that is something you came up with to justify your limited belief system, you are not correct.
Peter – nice try. The atheist agenda is a failure. You cannot claim to know thier is no God but I can claim there is becasue I cna cliam spiritual experience while you cannot. The only logical position you can take is "I am not sure"
I do not begin to profess a knowledge of everything. I just find it to be extremely funny how you seem to suggest that Religion (something that really is supposed to instill good morals and behavior) can be used to suggest that one group of people are not equal or as "worthy" as another group. You people cherry pick the bible seemingly forgetting about all the blasphemy in it and profess to be the way you are thanks to him. If there was a god and shaped the way your bible suggests I guarantee you, You would not be saved. Would it surprise you to know that more anti-religious people are accepting and forgiving than their religious counterparts? I have yet to see a war from atheism....can you say that hmmm crusades?
Telling someone they are committing a sin is not telling them they are not worthy – this is another athiest/LGBT agenda tactic. All humans are worthy of God's salvation but you must believe and follow and tell others if their behavior is wrong.
TC- I wish i could show you how truly incompetent you are but as far as your concerned the world is flat, held up on the backs of turtles, and we are the center of the universe...to think how advanced we could have been without religious interference...Your kind sickens me and when that day comes when we have to defend our own planet from an external source you better believe it will be our scientists that save us and not some uttered prayer....and for that i'll pray to our scientists. As we move forward in time our archaic beliefs must be laid to rest. Atleast scientists are willing to say i dont know as opposed to priests who offer no proof just a fictional book.
Karl – se my comment to Peter and I feel sorry for you becasue prayer has solved many things and helped many people. You are quite the ignorant sad sack becasu eI actuallly work daily with scientists and many use brains and souls to make it through this world. You need a lot of help and my prayer is that you come out of your own head.
Never mind, you guys – TC's arrogance is a grave sin, but the tool will never recognize it.
“God does not make gays and lesbians. Satan does” So god doesn’t create everything like it says he does in the bible. If he’s not doing all the creating then he is not the cause of everything, and he is not all powerful
You Hypocrites wrote: Jesus HATES divorce, its in the Bible!!! Divorce will one day lead to Human+Animal marriage, then Human and animal divorce.
I think You Hypocrites is in serious need of psychotherapy, shock treatment, and heavy-heavy medication. Woof. Meow. Arff.
i hate you, you hate me... yay we have something in common, who'da thunk!
you know the BEST part about all this?
They're going to get their rights. All you holier-than-thou, cherry-picking fake Christians who use Jesus as a tool for hate are going to have no choice but to live with them out and proud around you.
You know what's even funnier? How similar you are to the fundamentalist Muslims. Birds of a feather!
Christians in America won't be truly happy until the United States has become and Iranian-styled theocracy. Two of their candidates for President, Bauchmann and Paul have pushed hard on the idea to keep the issue of gay marriage out of the hands of the Supreme Court. What sort of warped equality are they pushing? The kinds Christians want to see.
All believers acknowledge that all have fallen short of the glory of God and need forgiveness for their sins.
A Christian is called to embrace every human being, but a Christian cannot embrace any ifestyle that is scripturally wrong.
Did anyone ever stop to think that scripture was wrong? It is possible. It is extremely possible.
Almost every Christian is sinning in one way or another. To live completely sin free is to live a life of isolation. So why would you condemn people for one sin yet go about your own life sinning? Seems a bit hypocritical, doesn't it?
"lifestyle that is scripturally wrong."
No where does your bible say the lifestyle is wrong, no where does it talk about the long term committed relationship of gay people. The few pieces of text that you use to say it's wrong has nothing to do with gays as we now understand it today. It wasn't till the 1970's that they finally proved what people wrote about gays up till then was done by prejudice and bigoted people. By the way how often are you condemning your fellow christians that get divorced and live in adultery?
Why then do Christians accept divorce? Jesus had a lot to say about divorce nothing about being gay.
Divorce is a CHOICE!!!
So I guess all of your clothes are void of color? Only white. Wow. I'm impressed. How many of your children have you stoned to death? Just curious.
God defines sins not men. If you have an ailment you are prudent enough to seek treatment and not live with it.
KH,
Do you pick on your remarried Christian family members or friends? Do you eat shellfish?
It's all pick and choose.
@ Peter:
This view of ho_mose_x_uality is not a new thing. Read Plato's Symposium, Aristophanes' Speech, which talks about g_a_y love just like Jerry Maguire ("you complete me"). That's a famous ancient work, 400 years before Jesus. The Bible is addressing the same views that are held today.
However, you are right to call out Christian hypocrisy. Divorce & adultery are bigger issues in the Church today. The Bible is equally clear on those.
Likely, as more of their children come out. Hard to hate your child... yet my DiL just came back from a funeral. Her school friend was gay, the father hated the boy, and didn't want a 'gay funeral'. So his friends got together and had one of their own.
And – maybe christians are just getting tired of the hypocrisy. They are taught their religion is all about love, yet it isn't. It is a concept of Man, and comes with all Man's shortcomings.
We could all use a little buttsecks.
Do you mean , "less judgmental" ? Now thats ironic.
i;m waiting for you christians to keep doing what your doing................making this world a worse place to live for all....makes me all warm inside, maybe i'll stop by for easter brunch, you know, to say hi to the family. YUM!
Divorce is a CHOICE!!!
God created Adam and Eve, NOT, Adam and Eve, the Adam and Cindy, then Adam and Kathy!
Jesus HATES divorce, its in the Bible!!! Divorce will one day lead to Human+Animal marriage, then Human and animal divorce.
Divorce is a CHOICE!!!
God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.
Pecos,
The Bible says that God created a parallel civilization at Nod. For all you know, Steve could have been the "Adam" of Nod.
Guess again.
Ever hear of King David and Jonathon?
The Land of Nod was not a city. Nod is Jewish for "to wander". Once Cain arrived in the Land of Nod, his wife bore him a son, Enoch. Cain built the first city in Nod, and named it after his son.
Pecos,
Cain went to Nod and married there. Was it one of his sisters?
Read the Bible.
I wish I could be as hopeful as the writer. Perhaps he's right. It is just I see far too much connection between a certain aspect of the Christian church and the Republican Party. And the Republican Party currently wants to bring in legislation that would be harmful to anyone who is LGBT. It is this very real threat to people's lives that makes the current Republican Party so dangerous.
Again, we have Christians all deciding that they know what their God "really" meant when it comes to LGBT things. Does God mumble or something? As always, religion plays catch up to secular morality. It's time to shuck this useless mess of books written by ignorant, misogynistic, xenophobic men a thousand years ago.
Don't you think people will say the exact same thing about your opinions in 50 years?
I am gay and also a Christian. I don't mind if there are other Christians who consider me a sinner or think I will go to hell for my actions. Everyone has the right to their opinion. I just wish some people didn't have to throw it in the face of those who are different. There's no reason to go around online calling gay people sick animals and telling them to burn in hell. I'd just like to be treated with respect like everyone else, and one day God can judge my as a person.
Amen!!!